Ornamental wheel disk structure



May 9, 1939. G. A. LYON QRNAMENTAL WHEEL DISK STRUCTURE Filed July 29,1935 8 HH \i! 7 L I FE Dr 'eorge alder/[yawn a4-& W 575.

Patented May 9, 1939 f g 2,157,908

u iTEo STATES PATtNT OFFICE 2,157,908 ORNAMENTAL WHEEL DISK STRUCTUREGeorge Albert Lyon, Allenhurst, N. J.

Application July 29, 1935, Serial No. 33,689

Claims. (01. 301-37) This invention relates to ornamental disks, andstructure for use with a wheel of the type emmore particularly to anornamental disk structure bodying integral rim and hub parts, the hubpart for disposition over the side surface of a vehicle of which hascentrally disposed spring elements wheel, both by itself and incombination with a for retaining cooperation with a hub cap or the 5,Wheel structure. like, the entire wheel disk structure being so ar- 5More specifically, the invention relates to a ranged as to be held uponthe wheel, preferably novel ornamental wheel disk structure which onlyby the said spring elements. The Wheel may be readily attached to orpried off a wheel disk is made up of a plurality of separate parts, as aone-piece unit, although the wheel disk each of which may have a coloror external 1 structure embodies a plurality of parts joined finish asdesired, and each of which is designed in together, to overlie adifferent portion of the side surface With the advent of streamlinedautomotive of the wheel. One of these parts is provided vehicles, it hasbecome desirable to dress up the with an inwardly disposed margin bentfor enwheels of the vehicle to conform tothe exterior gagernent with theaforesaid spring elements on streamlined appointments of the other partsof the hub part of the wheel to hold the entire disk 15 the vehicle.Ornamental wheel disks for overlystructure in place on the wheel. Thetwo parts ing the side surfaces of the vehicle wheels are of the diskstructure are joined together, preferdesirable for this purpose. In sotreating the ably by concealed securing means, in an easy wheel's, it isalso desirable to have the ornamental and ready manner so that thecomposite disk disks two-toned or embodying diflerent colors instructure may be snapped on and pried off the 20 the same disk. However,this treatment of the wheel as a one-piece unit. The disk structurewheels must be accomplished with a minimum of may also embody acushioning element for conexpense so as not to add materially to thecost tact with the wheel rim, if so desired. of the vehicle as a whole.Other objects and features of this invention I therefore propose toprovide a wheel disk will more fully appear from the following de- 25structure made up of a plurality of separate, relatailed description,taken in connection with the tively standard parts which may have anydesiraccompanying drawing, which illustrates a single able externalfinish or color scheme, and which embodiment thereof, and in which:

are so joined together as to provide a relatively Figure 1 is a sideelevation of a combined wheelintegral disk structure which may behandled as and ornamental disk structure embodying fea- 30 though itwere a one-piece unit. tures of the present invention;

Another object of the invention is to provide Figure 2 is an enlargedfragmentary sectional an ornamental disc structure including apluralview of the structure shown in Figure 1, taken ity of initiallyseparate parts each designed to substantially as indicated by the line11-11 of cover a different portion of the side surface of Figure 1,looking in the direction of the arrows; 35

a wheel, and which parts may be readily joined and together in such amanner as to form a unitary Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary portionstructure which may be handled as one piece. of the ornamental diskstructure as seen in the A further object of the invention is theprovilower part of Figure 2. 40 sion of an ornamental disk structuremade up The reference character 5 designates generall 40 of a pluralityof initially separate parts joined a drop center tire rim of a vehiclewheel. This together so that the entire structure may be rim includes avbase flange 6 disposed between snapped on or pried off a vehicle wheelas a oneopposite intermediate flanges 1-1 which termipiece unit. nateintegrally in opposite edges 8--B. This rim Also an object of thisinvention is the proviis secured to the hub or central part 9 of the 45sion of an ornamental disk structure made up of wheel, which part has atits outer periphery a a plurality of initially separate parts eachdelaterally extending flange l0 secured to the base signed to cover adifferent portion of the side flange 6 of the rim by means of rivets IIor in surface of a wheel, one of said parts having an any other suitablemanner.

underturned flange in engagement with the other The hub part 9 of thewheel is provided with a 50 part, and securing means joining the partsby central fastening flange l2 provided with a cenengagement with saidflange so that the securing trally disposed hub opening I3, Suitableattachmeans are concealed in the finished structure. ment means such asthe cap screws 14 extend In accordance with the general features of thisthrough the flange l2, and by such means the invention, there isprovided an ornamental disk vehicle wheel may be attached to a vehicleaxle 55 part i5 associated with the usual brake drum IS in a knownmanner, or the wheel may be mounted in like manner upon a spare wheelbracket.

The wheel is provided with a plurality of spaced hub cap retainingspring elements I! secured to the fastening fiange |2 by means of rivets8 or in any other suitable manner. Each of the retaining springs I1 isshaped to provide a radially outwardly projecting portion l9 behindwhich an inwardly sloping engaging surface retains the hub cap or thelike upon the wheel.

An ornamental disk, generally indicated by reference numeral 20, isshown disposed in operative position over the side surface of thevehicle wheel. This disk structure, while it may be handled as though itwere a one-piece unit, is made up in this instance of a pair ofinitially separate members designated generally by reference numerals 2|and 22. Each of these members, as is seen in the drawing, is designed tocover a different portion of the side surface of the vehicle wheel.

The'outcr member 2| is annular in character and is designed to coverthat portion of the side surface of the wheel between the fasteningflange l2 and the rim. This member has an inwardly rolled outer margin23 to provide a socket for the reception of a cushioning element 24which in this instance is an annularly extending double tubular member,of the general shape of a figure 8 with one loop larger than the other,and made of rubber or some other suitable cushioning material. Thesmaller loop of the cushioning member is disposed in the groove formedby the margin 23 and is preferably provided with a spring wire 25 whichholds the cushioning element in position. The other or larger loop ofthe element is preferably hollow and abuts the rim 5 when the diskstructure is in position on the wheel to eliminate rattling and similarnoises. The body portion of the member 2| somewhat generally follows thecontour of the hub part 9 of the wheel and terminates in an inwardlydisposed flange 25 having an outwardly bent edge 21 for engagement withthe spring retaining elements |'l. Such engagement is all that isnecessary to hold the entire disc structure, including both parts 2| and22, in position upon the wheel.

The other part 22 of the disc structure is shaped generally insimulation of a hub cap and is preferably of such a size as to not onlycover the central opening through the part 2|, but also to overlie andcompletely conceal the spring retaining elements IT. This member 22 isalso provide with an annular underturned margin 28 spaced from the bodyof the member. The margin 28 lies against the member 2| and suitablesecuring means extend through the margin in engagement with the member2| to unite the two parts 2| and 22 into a relatively integral structurewhich may be handled as though it were one piece.

In this instance, I have shown very economical and easily handledsecuring means in the form of bolt and nut connections 29 for unitingthe two parts 2| and 22 of the disk structure. It will be seen thatthese joining means 29 are totally concealed by the body of the part 22which, taken in conjunction with the concealment of the spring retainingelements ll, gives an external appearance of a solid disc wheel when thedisk structure is in position upon the vehicle wheel.

It is now apparent that each of the parts of the disk structure may berelatively standard parts, manufactured separately and provided with anydesirable external finish or color. It is a simple expedient by means ofthe fastening elements 29 to unite these parts into a disk structurehaving substantially any desirable two-tone color combination in keepingwith the other external colors of the vehicle. Of course, either one ofthe parts 2| or 22 may be provided with several colors, if so desired. Apleasing color scheme for the disk structure is a chrome-finim for theouter part 2|, and a color finish for the part 22 in keeping with thecolor of the vehicle body.

When the two parts 2| and 22 have been joined as above explained, it isa simple expedient to take the entire disk structure and snap it inposition upon the wheel by pushing it radially towards the wheel. It isequally as simple an expedient to remove the entire disk structure as aone-piece unit from the wheel by inserting a suitable prying tool,generally indicated at 30, between the outer edge of the part 2| and therim 5, utilizing the radially outward portion of an intermediate flange1 as a fulcrum to pry against.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that I have provided an ornamentalwheel disk structure which is extremely economical to manufacture andwhich may be very easily snapped on or pried off a vehicle wheel. Thedisk structure may be handled as a one-piece unit, and yet any desirablevariable color combination may be provided on the structure because itincludes a plurality of initially separate but readily unitable parts,it being much more economical to manufacture and finish the partsseparately than to make a onepiece disk structure and endeavor to applydifferent colors or external finishes thereto.

It is, of course, to be understood that while I have illustrated anddescribed in detail a preferred form of this invention, the invention isnot to be thus limited, but only insofar as defined by the scope of theappended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. An ornamental wheel disk structure for disposition over the sidesurface of a vehicle wheel, including a pair of separate members one ofwhich is designed to cover the central portion of the wheel and which isprovided with an underturned margin, and the other of which is designedto cover an outer portion of the wheel, and securing means joining saidunderturned margin of said central member to an intermediate portion ofsaid outer member so as to be concealed by the respective member, theinner marginal portion of said outer member being bent axially inwardlyto form a wheel engaging fastening flange for said members.

2. As an article of manufacture, an ornamental wheel accessorycomprising an annulus of sheet material for disposition over the side ofa wheel, said annulus having an axially and radially inwardly extendinginner marginal portion adapted to engage a plurality of fasteningfingers on the wheel, and a central dome-shaped member adapted to coverthe central opening of said annulus, said member being substantiallypermanently secured to said annulus, whereby said member and saidannulus may be pried off the wheel as a one piece unit.

3. With a wheel having a body part the central portion of which isrecessed and an annular series of ornamental member retaining fingerssecured in said recess and extending axially outwardly therefrom, thecombination with said wheel of an ornamental ring cover member fordisposition over the outer side of said wheel, said member having itsinner marginal portion shaped to extend into said recessed centralportion, the edge of said marginal portion being adapted to make adetachable engagement with said fingers, and a central dome-shapedmember simulating a hub cap substantially permanently secured to saidring member, whereby said members may be assembled on and disassembledfrom said wheel as a single unit.

4. As an article of manufacture, an annular ornamental member fordisposition over the side of a wheel and a central member substantiallypermanently secured to said annular member and shaped to cover thecentral opening thereof, one of said members having an axially inwardlyextending skirt to form a circular holding flange adapted to detachablyengage cooperating securing means on the wheel.

5. As an article of manufacture, an ornamental said fastening fingers.

GEORGE ALBERT LYON.

